Following, the increasing rate of COVID-19 cases in the country, especially among people in authority the federal government has threatened to impose a fresh lockdown in another two weeks.
Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha during the task force press briefing in Abuja on Monday, lamented that it was directly affecting governance and security in the country.
The chairman noted that the task force cannot afford to shy away from the reality, stressing that in order to curtail further spread of the virus, there might be need to impose a fresh total lockdown.
Mustapha, however, said events of coming weeks would determine the next line of action.
He said, “We will not speculate on what will happen in future but we will protect the lives of Nigerians.
“To achieve that, if it means to lock down again, we will not shy away from that responsibility. We will recommend to the President who will look at the report and take a decision on our recommendation. What happens in the next two three weeks will determine what we will do.”
The warning became eminent following the rising cases of COVID-19 among state governors and other prominent Nigerians especially with state governors, including David Umahi of Ebonyi, Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta and their Ondo State counterpart, Rotimi Akeredolu, that all tested positive to the virus.
Mustapha, however, advised prominent Nigerians to take COVID-19 protocols seriously, said the virus does not respect status.
“Of recent, we have witnessed a high rate of positive cases especially among people in authority. This has a direct impact on governance and security of our nation. We urge that vigilance and care should be exhibited by all Nigerians, irrespective of status. This virus does not discriminate and the PTF shall keep sustaining its sensitisation messaging,” he said.